SHE is old enough to be grandmother to some of her classmates, yet is undoubtedly the life of the classroom.

Ms Lorna Low, 72, a retired education officer, attends a beginner's sewing course in Nee Soon South Community Centre once a week.

Every Saturday afternoon, she enters the class like a ray of sunshine, decked in her trademark flamboyant but elegant style.

The class is taught by Madam Tan Yee Khim, 72, who has been sewing since she was 17.

At the start of each class, others busy themselves with setting up machines and consulting Lao Shi (Chinese for teacher, as everyone in class affectionately addresses Madam Tan) on their dressmaking projects.

But Ms Low usually starts by boiling water for afternoon tea, introducing Madam Tan to the snacks she brought, and excitedly encouraging her classmates to try some.

A fishing tackle box on Ms Low's table contains her tools - spools of thread, stitch unpickers, and assorted tools for dressmaking. She joined the class five years ago with little prior knowledge.

In this age of affordable clothes in all styles, why do people want to make their own clothes? Charming as sewing one's own clothes may seem, going through the tedious process of buying fabric to cutting cloth and sewing the garment takes patience and determination.

Though threading a needle can take a little longer for someone of Ms Low's age, she has successfully sewn many complicated garments over the years.

She said: 'There is no age restriction here for sewing. As long as your eyes are good and your muscles can pedal, you can do it.'

She sews because she can alter designs to suit her likes. Her classmates, too, constantly pore through books of magazine clippings compiled by Madam Tan to find inspiration for the dream design for their next project.

A notebook Ms Low has used since day one is filled with drawings by Madam Tan, mostly of collared long-sleeved blouses and high-waisted pants, usually made with bright floral fabric.

Said Ms Low, a grandmother of seven: 'I don't like plain clothes. I like something that shines so I feel very cheerful when I put it on.'

Signature style

This has become her signature style, and she has taken part in numerous beauty pageants and fashion shows. When she wore a golden silk dress she made onto a cruise last year, she was called 'Mrs Marcos'.

She can also be found recounting her stories to fellow course mates of all ages. The youngest member, 19-year-old Phua Yee Ling, a student, has made friends with older women through joining the class, and finds Ms Low 'very helpful'.

Said Ms Low with a laugh: 'The atmosphere in class is very friendly. I made a lot of friends, young and old. That's why until now, I still haven't graduated.'

This article first appeared in The New Paper.